Replace bath with shower

cobham

I am thinking of taking out a bath to put a second shower in house. We have gas CH and use that to heat water in winter also. In summer we have electricity on a timer on immersion. Should we consider an electric (not power) shower to run the second shower or just continue with present set up?

I see preformed walls for shower units. Do these have any problems or are they better than standard tiled finish. The existing bathroom has lovely tiles that I would like to keep. So there would be some salvaged to use to fill in bath area if I went for the composite walls.

And cast iron bath to be smashed up to get it out ....

sky6

Bath or Shower It's a matter of opinion. Some people prefer lying in the Bath for 1/2 hour or more. others just want to wash quickly and be done. You could fit a Shower over the Bath, Then you keep both. What kind of Shower have you got at present. ? Modern electric showers are very good if you stick to the good brands. You say you want to keep Tiles in place but have you thought about how your going to run pipework.
If you have a cast Iron Bath you could get a few bob for it on Done deal or for salvage. If you are going to break it up be careful as bit will fly easily wear goggle and heavy clothing.

cobham

There is a telephone type shower adaptor on existing bath. I thought the new set up would use same links as to bath. Visitors tend to hog better bathroom hence focus on this en suite. Also with older folk the climb over the bath option is not ideal. Pity about bath but have been told that too heavy to get out in one piece? It is avocado green as well We resprayed the other bath with limited success. Thanks for your thoughts Sky.

sky6

Generally a Shower works best with it's own Dedicated supply. You could use existing pipework however if you don't already have a pump on the system you will need one. Unless it's a multi story building with the tank in attic.
As to removing the old Bath you might be better getting someone to cut it up with an Angle Grinder and Cutting disc.

cobham

Ugh an angle grinder! I thought a whack strategically would shatter it? Yes have attic tank and decent gravity feed to other shower. The attic has had work done with new tank and upgrade of insulation. I might go off the idea if major work needed there such as getting a pump with electric connection? Do you have an opinion on the composite walls for shower cubicle to replace tiling?

Idbatterim

op you can buy walk in baths. Id also go for the shower above the bath option if possible. Why do you use electric to heat the water?

http://www.assistireland.ie/eng/Products_Directory/Personal_Care/Baths/Walk_in_Baths/

sky6

I've seen people breaking cast iron before, pieces can fly everywhere just protect yourself well.

if your present Shower is electric you will need a preferential switch to make sure that they are not both switched on at the same time. Otherwise the electrical load will be to great for the main switch Fuse.

Nothing wrong with composite Shower panels. They work very well once you seal them properly to the Tray and each other.

cobham

Thanks Sky... making progress!The other shower is just gravity fed and non electric. I was hoping present plumbing for bath would adapt for new shower.

We use electric to heat sink element of immersion which is plenty for a couple of showers. It is on a timer with 15 minute slots. The new stainless steel immersion heats up to higher temperature and quicker (maybe just the settings) and of course better insulated. I think I would need to run the gas for longer as it would need to heat a full tank. This goes on when more people in house. I never did work out what was best to heat smaller amounts of water gas versus electric

sky6

You might be best going for something like a Mira elite or Triton 9.5 kw electric shower. You will just need a single cold feed straight from the Attic Tank to the Shower. You will also need a dedicated electric supply on an RCD to the Shower from the Consumer unit. If you're using the composite panel then it will fit nicely behind it.
This would be the cheapest option in terms of electricity or Gas as you're only using what you need. I think it's about 6 Cents per Shower.
If you use the Bath pipework to supply the Shower then someone could get scolded if anyone opens a Tap or flushes a Toilet that is on the same pipework feed.